Karen daroff biography

A Philadelphia native and proud graduate of Moore College of Art, Karen founded Daroff Design Inc. in 1973, where by her tireless energy.
Active in civic affairs, she is a graduate of Moore College of Art and Design and has served as a trustee at Moore and the University of the Arts.
Education: BFA Interior Design, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia.

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Photo courtesy of Daroff Design Inc.

Throughout history, women have been an integral element to the progress and success of society. In the office, in the home, and everywhere in between – women have shown their versatility and ability to more than match their male counterparts.

In honor of Women's History Month and as a certified women-owned business, LebaTex has interviewed successful women in the interior design industry that we admire for a special feature. In this series, we will highlight their accomplishments, detail their journeys, and share their professional advice for other women to succeed as well.

For our second feature in the #WomensHistoryMonth Showcase, we spoke with Karen Daroff of Daroff Design + DDI Architects.

Karen Daroff is internationally respected in the global design community as the President and Design Principal at Philadelphia-based Daroff Design Inc. + DDI Architects (DDI). Ms. Daroff is as well recognized for her leadership and commitment to design excellence in hospitality, entertainment, and restaurant design, as she is celebrated for her ach

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Education: BFA Interior Design, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia.

Experience: Daroff Design, Inc., 1973-

Affiliate Member, AIA Philadelphia, 1997.

Boards: Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; former Trustee, Moore College of Art; Philadelphia Art Commission; Board of Trustees, University of the Arts

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.

Clubs and Membership Organizations

Philadelphia Chapter, AIA
Urban Land Institute

School Affiliations

University of the Arts
Moore College of Art

Links to Other Resources

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PSFS Building

Skyscraper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Loews Philadelphia Hotel, previously known as the PSFS Building, is a skyscraper in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A National Historic Landmark, the building was the first International style skyscraper constructed in the United States.

It was built for the Philadelphia Saving (later Savings) Fund Society in 1932 and was designed by architects William Lescaze and George Howe. The skyscraper's design was a departure from traditional bank and Philadelphia architecture, lacking features such as domes and ornamentation. Combining Lescaze's experience with European modernism, Howe's Beaux-Arts background and the desire of Society President James M. Wilcox for a forward-thinking, tall building the skyscraper incorporated the main characteristics of an International style architecture.

Called the United States' first modern skyscraper, and one of the most important skyscrapers built in the country in the first half of the 20th century, the building featured an innovative and effective design of a T-shaped tower